"Chicago Hope" (1994) TV series 1994-2000

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Creator:

David E. Kelley

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

18 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The lives and trials of the staff of a major hospital in Chicago.

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Medical | Revival | Brain Surgery | Gambling Addiction

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 21 wins & 87 nominations

Cast

Adam Arkin	...	Dr. Aaron Shutt (141 episodes, 1994-2000)
Hector Elizondo	...	Dr. Phillip Watters (141 episodes, 1994-2000)
Peter Berg	...	Dr. Billy Kronk (106 episodes, 1995-1999)
Vondie Curtis-Hall	...	Dr. Dennis Hancock (104 episodes, 1995-1999)
Jayne Brook	...	Dr. Diane Grad (103 episodes, 1995-1999)
Christine Lahti	...	Dr. Kathryn Austin (97 episodes, 1995-1999)
Rocky Carroll	...	Dr. Keith Wilkes (96 episodes, 1996-2000)
Mark Harmon	...	Dr. Jack McNeil (95 episodes, 1996-2000)
Thomas Gibson	...	Dr. Daniel Nyland / ... (70 episodes, 1994-1998)
Mandy Patinkin	...	Dr. Jeffrey Geiger (60 episodes, 1994-2000)

Runtime:

60 min (141 episodes) | Argentina:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

There are a lot of references throughout the series to "St. Elsewhere" (1982) another popular hospital-themed drama. Kate Austin wins the "Left Anterior Descending Aorta" award for being a top notch cardiac surgeon. Stephen Furst appeared playing a vet named Elliot. On St. Elsewhere he played Elliot Axelrod whose father was a vet (he did not appear as his actual St. Elsewhere character though as Elliot Axelrod, he was killed off in St. Elsewhere). And Kate quotes her mentor to be "Dr. David Demidian." Mark Craig ('William Daniels' ) on St Elsewhere said that Demidian was his mentor as well.

Quotes:

Dr. Billy Kronk: [there has been a shooting at a video store and Billy is about to go in to do surgery on a victim. He's putting on a flack jacket. Dr Grad does not want him to go inside] Look! It's bullet proof!
Dr. Diane Grad: Stay with me and I'll buy you one for your birthday.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Nip/Tuck: Carly Summers (#5.1)" (2007)

Lacking Dr Gieger

Chicago Hope is full of good actors and dialogue, Hector Elizondo is a notable example. And is fresh in the fact that it has wonderfully light hearted moments which intense programs such as ER lack.

I have two major problems with the show recently, in that it is severely lacking two characters which I believe made it the best series on television rather just the good series it is now.

1) Peter Mchnicol as the eel was a wonderful character and he is missed (although its good to see him on Ally Mcbeal) 2) The major flaw in the series though is that Mandy Patinkin is not there. He is such a wonderfully sincere, intense, and brilliantly funny actor that he gave the series a depth not possible without him. For god's sake bring him back.

Good series, can only be brilliant again with Dr Gieger back at the operating table.